Canning apparatus.



fi SHEETSSHEET I,

Patentd Apr. 2, 1918.

W. E. TAYLOR.

CANMNG APPARATUS.

UPLICATION mm JULY 14. 19:3.

MW mm 2111mm. Thy/0;-

y W, @Ww aw W. E. TAYLOR CANNING APPARATUS,

APPLICAHON mm JULY 14. x913.

4M am 5%.

W. E. TAYLGR.

CANNING APPARATUS.

APPucAmN mzo mu :4. 19:3.

1,261,186. Patented Apr. 2,1918.

6 SHEETS SHEEf 3. [29d WMas jnuazfaf 7 Wlbamlf. l0

WI E- TAYLUR.

CANNWG APPARATUS.

APPUCAHUN mm JULY141913- Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4- l jun-3111b)": find/lamb. Mylar A. g nd! W. E. TAYLOR.

CANNING APPARATUS.

AFPLILMHDH FILED JULY 14. 1913.

Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

B SHEETSSHEEI 5 Inna/2121 Wzllliz z: Tflhylar U L m waW/a, WWJJM- W11 tilt 6 565 I Hui/.5.

W. E. TAYLOR.

CANNING APPARATUS. APPLICMHONHLEDJULY1Ml9i3,

1 ,26 1 ,1 86. Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM E. TAYLOR, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 AMERICAN CAN COMPAN I, OF

' NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CANNING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

'latented Apr. 2, 1918.

Application filed Ju1y 14, 1913. Serial No. 778,862.

an ci'lirirnt. hllltttlt, compact, organized apr paratus tor supplying measured quantities ot oil r other substance to open top cans partially tilted with lish or other food ])1'O(l nets. and \\lllt.'ll i illfi l provided \\ith a could-r or heating oven through which the cans are ronioteil continuously to thereby cool; or process the food product, after which the tilled cans are conveyed succes hivel t to an automatic cover or closure feeding and applying device, a tucking or crimping mechanism. for mechanically sccuring the cover or closure to the can and a solder lusing device, all the parts being autoinatically operated.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a machine of the type above indicated. which is p-irtirularlv adapted for supplyin nuwmuwl quantities of oil to partially filled? Hanged sardine cans, having; a coating of solder previously applied to the flanges thereot. said machine having a long cooking r heating oven or chamber tIn'ougIrWhich the tilled sardine cans are couveved continuouslv to tln re|| proctss or cooh the sap dines in the oil, in combination with a cover feeding aiul ,appl ying lllttlltllllSlll, tucking mechanism and solder fusing, rolls.

The invention furthermore consintsin the imprmements in the parts and devices and in the novel combinations of the parts and devices herein shown, described or Cltlllllwl.

In the dinning forming a part of th s sp i-iticai ion Figures 1 and 1. taken loget for 'conetit te a top plan view of an organiwd apparatus embodying my improvements.

1 =1. '2 and 2 taken together constitute a.

'Liaarh-valion of the machine illustrated in Fig. 'l and I". Fig. 3 is an enlarged, \'e1'- tit-a1, trausicise section taken substantiallv on the line 3--3 f Fig.1. ,Fig'. -'l is an en hitgreil. vertical section taken sultstantially on the line -l---4- ol Fig. 2" and illustrating "more parlirularly the. oil measuring and ltt'tllltg device Fig. :3 is an enlarged, transverse section on the lino 55 of Fig. Wand showing more particularly the arrangeine i'it of the cooker or heating oven. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal, detail, sectional view when on the line t5---ti of Fig. 1 and illustrating the can end feed chute and method of applying the same to can bodies. Fig. 7 is a transverse, detail, vertical section taken on the line 7------7 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the tucking or crimping mechanism. Fig. 9 is a sectionalview of the crimpingtor inching mechanism taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a detail sectional View taken substantially on the line 1U-10ot' Fig. 9; and Fig. 11 la an enlat-god detail sectional view taken substantially on the line ll ll of Fig. l and illus trating more particularly the transferring mechanism from the intermittently operated conveyor to the continuously operated dieblock conveyor.

.In said drawing, and 20 denote a star tionary frame suitable for supporting \'ai"i 0115 parts of the mechanism. The portion 20 of the frame is provided with a Hat top or table 21', on the right-hand enzlof which,

as viewed in Fig. 1, the sardine cans containing the sardines are first placed. The ca us are placed in tracks or guide-ways 22 and are engaged alnd nopelled by fingers or flights 23 on a (:(HlilllllUtthlX operated conveyi-r 24-, driven as hereinafter described. The cans are first passed beneath an oil measuring and feeding (lewice A which. as shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 4'. comprises a circular disk 25 having IHlltlll) arranged pockets 26, the disk 25 being rota tably mounted in an annular casing 2T, s'e cared to a braeket 28, mounted on the table 21. The pockets 26, when the disk .35 is rotated. are in ought su cessively in line with the lower open end of an oil feed pipe and an opening 30 in the bottom of the ear-w ing 27 located ahore the track 22. it being lliltltllstflml that the pipe .39 is connected to any suitable form of ank containing oil. The disk Qfiv'is operated by the cans theinselves through a star Wheel comprising a cured in the disk 25. U

From the foregoing description, it will be plurality of radially arranged spokes 3t St seen that when the pockets 26 are brought in under, the measuringland feeding device being operated only w on a can passes thereunder.

After the cans, now containin the sardines and oil, pass from beneat the oil feeding and measuring device, they are next passed under a roller 32 which serves to press down the contents of the cans should any part thereof be projecting above the tops. From the roller 32, the cans are next conveyed through a long cooker or heating oven B which, as more particularly shown in Fi s. 2 and 5, comprises an upper semicylin ric member 33 supported on pins 34 fixed to the members forming the track or guide 22. Heat may be supplied by an suitable arrangement, the means which have shown in the drawing comprising a gas pipe 35 extending longitudinally of the cooker, the gas pipe -bein provided with a plurality of spaced nozz cs 36 which direct the flames against an inclined wall 37 formed integral with one of the track members, the flame bein deflected upwardly" against the bottoms oi the cans by said wall 37, as will be understood from. an inspection of Fig. For convenience, the semi-cylindrie member or hood 33 is provided with eyes 33 by which the member 33 may be lifted up whenever it is desired to inspect or examine the interior of the cooker.

At the exit end of the cooker or oven B, the cans with their cooked or processed contents are engaged by fingers or flights 39 on an intermittently 0 erated conveyer 40, driven as hereinafter escribed. The conveyer 40 first moves the cans beneath a can end or closure feeding and applying device C which, as best shown in F1 8. 6 and 7, comprises a vertical chute 41, own which the can covers feed by gravity, the chute 41 at its lower end and slightly above the level of the tops of the cans having fixed pins or steps 42 on. which the lower-most cover rests. As the can bodies pass beneath the chute ii the flanges thereon will engage the flanges ol' the covers, as shown in Fig. 6. and the continued movement of the can body will pull the lower-most cover with it, the covers being prevented from falling out of the chute prematurely by means of yieldingly controlled pins 43 which serve to yieldingly hold the covers in the chute until the forward ends of the can bodies have moved a considerable distance past the chute, whereupon the covers will be released and will be mided into place on the tops of the can boiiics by means of the curved plates 44 and 45, the latter bein slightly yielding and adapted to press tie covers firmly nto place on the tops of the can bodies as the same pass therebencath. Just before the can bodies reach the chute 41, they pass beneath fluxing rollers 141 which serve to apply some of the oil in the cans to the previously soldered flanges of the can bodies, the oil serving as a flux for the subsequent fusing operation. The filled cans, with the covers loosely applied thereto, are next conveyed to the crimping or tucking mechanism D and the conveyer 40 is so timed in its intermittent movements that. the cans are given a period of rest when in alinement with the tucking mechanism. The tuckin mechanism, as most clearly shown in F gs. 3, 8, 9 and 10, comprises a lower reciprocating plunger or chuck 46 operated b a rod 47 from a cam 48 on the shaft 49, t 1e latter being driven as hereinafter described. The cans are brought to rest above the plunger or chuck 46 when the latter is in its lower-most position, and the cans are then raised to a position where the covers en age a stationary upper chuck 50 suitably siaped to fit into the countersunk portions of the covers, the stationary chuck 50 being secured to a bracket 51 mounted on the frame 20. The chuck 50 is secured to the under-face of a hub 52 on which is oscillatably mounted a cam 53, the latter having adjustably secured thereto a plurality of cams 54, each of which is provided with a diagonally disposed cam slot 55. The hub 52 also carries a stationary plate 56, having a plurality of radially arranged slots 57, the number of slots 57 corresponding to the number of cam slots 55. The plate 66, on its under side, is provided with guide-ways 58 corresponding in number to the slots 55 and 57, in which are reciprocatingly mounted die plates 59, the latter, at their inner ends, being suitably shaped to conform to the shape of the cans being operated upon and having ii 5 or rojections 60 for engaging the epen ing flanges of the can covers and adapted to tuck or bend or crimp the latter about the flanges of the can bodies. Each die plate 59, on its upper face, is provided with a pin 61, having an antifriction roller 62 thereon which passes up through a radial slot 57 in the plate 56 and is operated b a cam slot 55. The cam plate 53 is oscillated at the proper time by a lever 63 secured thereto, the lever 63 in turn being operated from a cam 64 on the shaft 19, lever 65, and link 66. To properly e'ect the cans from the upper chuck 50, a ter the tucking operations have taken place, a spring-pressed ejector 67 is mounted in the under-face of the chuck 50. After the can covers have been clenched or meehanicall secured to the can bodies they are move forward by the conveyer 40 until brought to the transferring mechanism E, see Fig. 11', where the cans are dropped into pockets in the conledge or rail 68 ondia movnblerib or ledge 69, the ledges 68 nndf'69 being 50 arranged that they will engage the under sides of the seams of the can bodies. The ledge 69 ode-"formed on thelowe'r end 'of an oscillatable lever 70 pivoted in snitable stationm 151112 1811! ,the can and, allow g on I I can bodies at theproper position togievcnt .zoqward' by the intermittently a -opring:controlledorm 71, having a roller Y2 at its'lowet end operated by projectionsbrackets, the lever Tdbeingprovided wi f r (Ennis 73 formed'on' the sides of the links 174 composing the conveyor F.- As will be jindcrstood, whe'nla cam 731mg: es the ro1let-' ;t;he ledge 69 will be wi drown firjom bcneoth the can seem, thereby re- 'Aber the cans are received by the con-' jartidousl movable conveyor F, the are convey first beneath a continue 31 roit to drop ihroughahole 75 n t e 21 into, n pocl'tt 76 bf olink 74. In order to stop the thesame from being advanced .too

tilted bra-more roller 78, which, in conjunction with the die-blook links of the con- 8 v er F, serves to thoroughly com rose the in? so der between the can seem 'formed between the, dungeon the can bodies and can ends. After passing beneath the pressure roller 78, the cans are next. fpcssed beneath a continuously rotatedhheab e'ated he foe as ed fusing roller 79, the latter bei by ssupplied through pipes 80. t-011m 79 will pro "flanges and hermetically seal theorem and after this operatiom'thefinished cans are ejected from'the conveyor F atvthe left-hand end ofthc machine, as viewed in Fig. 2.

4.5 is derived co-fiche of which is fixed a small sprocket gem: which 'clrlvesusprocket chem 33, the

The various parts of the apparatus are operated by the following means: Power from any suitable source (not shown) through'a pulley 81, loosely mon'nted on a shaft 82, the pulley 81 he a clutch member cooperating with not or Y clutch member fixed to a, gear 83 n-lsomouno ed on the shaft. 82, the clutch members being operated by a lever 84. The car 83' meshes withnnothcr a r 85 mounte, oil-o. shaft 86, the latter having secured thereto a sprocket gear 87 which drives a s rocket chain 88 55, and sprocket gear 89, the utter being fixed toiu sheft 90 having mounted thereon a. larger sprocket gear fll carrying the oonyo or F; The conveyor F csses'over onot er sprocket; gear mount-cc on a, shaft, to

, letter in tnrn driving pinions' 94 fixed to the ends ofv the shafts sup orting the rollers L 7 8 and 79-. The shaft 87 r.- so clrives another 06 sprocket chain 95 which runs over a sprocket is placed ressivel n nisni for mechanically ear 96 fixed to theshcft 49, whereby the otter is continuously rotated to operate the came 48 and or of the tucking mechanism. Also fixed be the shafted? is another sprocket geari)? which drives a sprocket chain 98 sprocket 1 99 and bevel gears 100' and "101,thc latter beingfixed to the lower end of a short, vertical shaft. "102 .lhavingfh sprooketgeor 1.03 overwhich runsthe con-M tmnously movable conveyor fiend aft109;the latter,et its 11 per end, carry-V b which; the lather is driven. The shoit 49 archerwith another bevel ing a. sprocket gear 110 whi drives the intcrmittenfly' operated. conveyor 40.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the machine is eutomatio throughout, occupies only a relatively small space, has a large capacity and is very eificient in operation.

1511711011 11 I have'hreinshown and described w t; I now consider the preferred embodiment of in improvefixents,'yet it will be" understood 1: mt various changes and modifications may be made without depart;- in from the spirit ofithe invention, and such variations and modifications are contemplated us come within thescope' of the claims appended hereto.

I-cloim: 1. In a canning apparatus, incombination: a table adapted tosupport'fillcd cans;

a continuousconveyer arranged to propel table and conveyor, having heating means- ,a. pressing rollor'arroh ged overthe table an conveyor and between the oil mcnsorin de-- vice and the said oven, for pressing own the contents of the filled owns; an i termio tent conveyor arranged to receive he said cans from the said continuous conveyor and to repel the some intermittently along the snic table; a fiuxing device adapted to distribute emotion 01 the oil from the cans on to the ranges of the cans; an automatic cover fcedingoand applying device arr-on d above the intermittent conveyor adapt to successively place covers inengagemeni with the flan es of the, advemcingcans'; pressing means car-pressing the cover, ofter it'hasbeen .ofiplicd to thc fiagnge of the can, down upon tesame; an-automatic tucking-mochii curingihocoycr about, the ange of ihe can;

plied-covers closely 'upon the flcng'e'ejo a cover pressing device for clamping permanentlys cans; a solder fusin device for fusing the solder previously app led in the seams of the cans; a second continuous conveyor arm to Clpropel the cans past the said pressing an fusing devices, and havin die surfaces for operating on the under 'si es of the can seams; and transferring mechanism for transferring cans from the said intermittent conveyor to the second continuous conveycr.

2. In a canning apparatus, in combination: a table adapted to support filled cansa continuous conveyor arranged to propel cans alon said table; an oil measuring and feeding evice having means whereby it is operated by the cans successively to deliver a predetermined quantity of oil into each can; a cooking oven arranged above the said table and conveyor beyond the said oil feeding device; an intermittent conveyor arranged to receive the said cans from the said continuous conveyor and to propel the same intermittentl along the said table; a fluxing device apted to distribute a portion of the oil from the cans'on to the flanges of the cans' an automatic cover feeding and applying device arra ed above the intermittent conveyor adapts to successively place covers in engagement with the flanges of the advancing cans; pressing means for press ing the cover, after it has been applied to the flange of the can, down upon the same; an automatic tucking mechanism for mechanically and permanently securing the cover about the flange of the can; a cover premin device for clamping the applied covers c oscl upo a solder in device for fusing the solder previously applied in the seams of the cans; a second continuous conveyor arranged to propel the cans past the said pressing and fusing devices, and having the surfaces for operating on the under sides of the can seams; and transferring mechanism for transferring cans fi'om the said intermittent conveyor to the second continuous conveyor.

3. In a canning apparatus, in combination: a table adapted to support filled cans; a continuous conveyor arranged to propel cans alon v said table; an oil measuring and feeding evice, having means whereby it is operated by the cans successivcl to deliver a predetermined quantity of or into each can; a cooking oven arranged above the said table and conveyor beyond the said 011 feeding device; an intermittent conveyor arranged to receive the said cans from the said continuous conveyor and to propel the same intermittently along the said table; an automatic cover feeding and applying device arranged above the intermittent conveyor adapted to successively place covers in engagement with the flanges of the advancing cans; pressin means for pressing the cover, after it has con 9. plied to the flange of the can, down upon is same; an auto n the flanges of the cans;

memes matic tucking mechanism for mechanically and ermanently securing the cover about the ange of the can; a cover pressing dcvioe for clamping the applied covers closely upon the flanges of the cans; a solder fus ing device for fusing the solder prcviousl applied in the seams of the cans; a second continuous conveyor arranged to propel the cans past the said ressing and fusing devices, and having dle surfaces for. operatin on the under sides of the can seams; and transferrin mechanism for transferring cans from t e said intennittent conveyor to the second continuous conveyer.

4. In a; canning apparatus in combination: a, table adapted to support filled cans a continuous conveycr arranged to propel cans along said table; an oil measuring and feeding device, having means whcreb it is operated by the cans successively to eliver a predetermined quantity of oil into each can; a cooking oven arranged above the said table and conveyor, havi meansfcr heating said oil and other con nts of the cans; an intcimittent conveyor arranged to receive the said cans from the said continuous conveyor and to pro cl the same intermittently along the sai table; an automatic cover feeding and applying device arran ed above the intermittent conveyor adapted to successively place covers in engagement with the fiangesof the advanoin cans; au-autnmatic tucking mechanism or mechanically and permanently securing'the cover about the flange of the can; a cover pressin device for clamping the applied covers osely upon the flanges of the cans; a solder fusing device for fusing the solder previousl applied in the seams of the cans; a seeon continuous conveyor arranged to propel the cans past the said resing and fusingdevices, and having die surfaces for operatin 0n the under sides of the can seams; an transfern'uv mechanism for transferring cans from lho said intermittent conveyor to the second continuous conveyor.

5. In a canning apparatus, in combination: a table adapted to support filled cans; a continuous conveyor arranged to propel cans along said table; an oil measuring and feeding device, having means whereby it is operated to deliver a predetermined quantity of oil into each can a cooking oven arrangied above the said table and conveyor beyon the said oil feeding device ;'an intermittent conveyer arranged to receive the said cans from the said continuous conveyor and to propel the same intermittently along the said table; an automatic cover feeding and applying device arranged above the in, tcrmittent conveyor adapted to successively place covers in engagement with the flanges of the advancing cans; an automatic tucking mechanism for mechanically and perinauently securing the cover about the flange of J conveyor to the third eonveyer.

the can; a solder fusing device for fusing the solder previously applied in the seams of the cans: t second continuous conveyor arranged to propel the cans past the said fusing device. and having die surfaces for open ating on the under sides of the can seams; and transferring mechanism for transferring cans from the said intcrn'iitient con-- veyer to the second continuous conveyer.

6. In a canning apparatus, in combination: a. table adapted to support filled cans; a convever :u'rangcd to propel cans along said table; an oil measuring and feeding device, having means whereby it is operated to deliver a prcdoiermincd qnanl ity of oil into each can; a cooking oven arranged above the said table and conveyor beyond the said oil feeding device; an intermittent conveyor arrtmged to receive the said cans from the first conveyor and to propel the same intermittently along the said table; an automatic cover feeding and applying device arranged above the inte1 mittent conveyor adapted to successively place covers in engagement h the flanges of the advancing cans; an automatic tucking mechanism for mechanirally and pcrmanentiy securing the cover about the flange of the can 5 a solder fusing device for fusing the solder previously up plied in the seams of the cons; a third conveyor arranged as propel the cans past the said fusing device. and having die surfaces for operating on the under sides of the can seams; and transferring mechanism for transferring cans from said intermittent 7. In an automatic canning apparatus, in combination: a conveying mechanism adapted to propel filled cans along a predeterruined path; an oiLmeasuring and feeding device mounted over the path of the pro pellrrl cans at the can-receiving end of the conveying mechanism; a solder fusing device mounted over the path of the propelled cans at the can-deliveriug end of the conveying mechanism, for hermetically closing the heated cans 5 a cooking oven, a cover ap plying device, and newer-flange tucking mechanism. all arranged successively alon the path of the propelled cans, between the said oil feeding and and a power n'lcchanism whereby all of said instrumentalitics are caused to beractuated and to cooperate.

8. An organized apparatus of the character described including, in combination: a. table; an automatically operated deviee,ar ranged above said table, for feeding measured quantities of o l or the like to open top cam; a long cooking oven arranged above said table; niacchanisms for mechanically uniting ran covers and can bodies; a solder fusing device; a continuously operated c011- veyer for transimring the cans along said table to tllthfuctling device and through the oven; and n'netns for transporting the can bodies along the table to said uniting mechanisms and the fusiu device.

WILTJAM n. TAYLOR. lVitnesses Hennr (luovnn, C. W. GRAHALL solder fusing devices; 

